Modular warming therapy device

Abstract

Provided is a modular infant care system having a warming therapy device and a peripheral device. The warming therapy device includes a plurality of wheels and a patient support surface having an adjustable height. The peripheral device has at least one wheel and is adapted for releasably engaging the warming therapy device proximate the patient support surface. When the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged to each other, the infant care system is movable as a combined unit. Also provided is a method for transporting a patient using the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular infant care system comprising:
 a warming therapy device including a plurality of wheels and a patient support surface; and 
 a peripheral device comprising at least two wheels and being adapted for releasably engaging the warming therapy device proximate the patient support surface, wherein when the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged to each other, the infant care system is movable as a combined unit with one of the at least two wheels of the peripheral device being raised up when the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged and the other of the at least two wheels remaining in the same position as prior to the engagement, 
 wherein the warming therapy device comprises an incubator. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular infant care system according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device is raised with the patient support surface when the patient support surface is raised. 
     
     
       3. The modular infant care system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the warming therapy device or the peripheral device is adapted for releasably engaging a second peripheral device. 
     
     
       4. The modular infant care system according to  claim 1 , wherein the warming therapy device comprises first and second longitudinal ends and the peripheral device engages one of the first or second longitudinal ends of the warming therapy device. 
     
     
       5. The modular infant care system according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of a ventilator, a monitor, a compressor, refrigerated storage, heated storage, a water mattress, a cooling system, a heating system or a surgical cart. 
     
     
       6. The modular infant care system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the at least two wheels of the peripheral device is retracted prior to moving the infant care system as a combined unit. 
     
     
       7. A modular infant care system comprising:
 a warming therapy device including a plurality of wheels and a patient support surface having an adjustable height; and 
 a peripheral device comprising at least two wheels and being adapted for releasably engaging the warming therapy device proximate the patient support surface, wherein when the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged to each other, the infant care system is movable as a combined unit with one of the at least two wheels of the peripheral device being raised up when the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged and the other of the at least two wheels remaining in the same position as prior to the engagement, 
 wherein the warming therapy device comprises an incubator, and 
 wherein the warming therapy device includes a braking system and braking controls and the peripheral device includes a braking system and the braking controls of the warming therapy device are operable to control the braking systems of both the warming therapy and the peripheral devices when the peripheral device is engaged with the warming therapy device. 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus comprising:
 a first medical device having a patient support surface, a braking system, braking controls and a plurality of wheels; and 
 a second medical device adapted for engaging the first medical device and having a braking system and at least two wheels, 
 wherein the first medical device comprises an incubator, 
 wherein one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device is raised up when the first medical device and the second medical device are engaged and another of the at least two wheels remains in the same position as prior to the engagement, 
 wherein when the second medical device is engaged to the first medical device, the first and second medical devices are transportable as a combined unit, and 
 wherein the second medical device includes a braking system and the braking controls of the first medical device are operable to control the braking systems of both the first and second medical devices when the second medical device is engaged with the first medical device. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the second medical device comprises at least one of a ventilator, a monitor, a compressor, refrigerated storage, heated storage, a water mattress, a cooling system, a heating system or a surgical cart. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the first medical device and the second medical device each comprise a docking port. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the docking port has at least one of a power connection, a ventilation gas connection, a monitor connection or a control connection. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first medical device or the second medical device comprise a power source for providing power to at least one of the first or second medical devices. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least two wheels of the second medical device are adapted for rolling engagement with a supporting surface and, when the second medical device is engaged with the first medical device, at least one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device is raised above the supporting surface. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of wheels of the first medical device are adapted for rolling engagement with a supporting surface and the at least two wheels of the second medical device are adapted for rolling engagement with the supporting surface and, when the second medical device is engaged with the first medical device, at least one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device remain at a level for rolling engagement with the supporting surface. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , the apparatus further comprising a docking cable for connecting the first and second medical devices together. 
     
     
       16. A method for transporting a patient comprising:
 providing a first medical device adapted for holding a patient in a controlled environment, the medical device having a plurality of wheels for engaging a supporting surface; 
 providing a second medical device having at least two wheels for engaging the supporting surface and the second medical device being adapted to releasably engage the first medical device; 
 engaging the first medical device to the second medical device; 
 raising the second medical device above the supporting surface; and 
 moving the first medical device and second medical device in unison, 
 wherein the first medical device comprises an incubator, and 
 wherein the step of raising the second medical device above the supporting surface comprises moving a first wheel of the at least two wheels of the second medical device away from the supporting surface, while leaving a second wheel of the at least two wheels of the second medical device in contact with the supporting surface. 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the second medical device comprises at least one of a ventilator, a monitor, a compressor, refrigerated storage, heated storage, a water mattress, a cooling system, a heating system or a surgical cart. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of providing a third medical device and engaging the third medical device to at least one of the first or second medical devices. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first medical device comprises a patient support surface and wherein the step of engaging the first medical device and the second medical device comprises engaging the second medical device to a portion of the first medical device proximate the patient support surface. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of raising the patient support surface, thereby lifting one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device above the supporting surface. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of raising the second medical device above the supporting surface further comprises retracting the first of the at least two wheels of the second medical device. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus comprising:
 a first medical device having a patient support surface, a plurality of wheels and a first docking port located proximate the patient support surface; 
 a second medical device having at least two wheels and a second docking port adapted for mating to the first docking port, wherein when the second medical device is mated to the first medical device, the first and second medical devices are transportable as a combined unit, 
 wherein the first medical device comprises an incubator, and 
 wherein one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device is raised up when the first medical device and the second medical device are mated and another of the at least two wheels remains in the same position as prior to the mating. 
 
     
     
       23. The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein a height of the patient support surface is adjustable. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the second medical device is raised and lowered with the patient support surface when the second docking port is engaged to the first docking port. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein one of the at least two wheels of the second medical device is retracted prior to transporting the first and second medical devices as a combined unit.